Shingles

Shingles is caused by the virus Herpes Zoster. Find help and information here. Also see: NIH: Facts About Shingles - NINDS: Shingles Information Page

Chickenpox Vaccine Linked with Shingles Epidemic

Posted Thu, 09/01/2005 - 21:59 by jack

New research published in the International Journal of Toxicology (IJT) by Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D., reveals high rates of shingles (herpes zoster) in Americans since the government's 1995 recommendation that all children receive chicken pox vaccine. Goldman's research supports that shingles, which results in three times as many deaths and five times the number of hospitalizations as chicken pox, is suppressed naturally by occasional contact with chicken pox.

Valacyclovir More Effective than Acyclovir Against Herpes Zoster

Posted Tue, 07/20/2004 - 10:34 by jack

In a new article about the treatment of Post Herpetic Neuralgia at The Journal Pharmacy Technology the conclusion is drawn that Valacyclovir is far more effective than Acyclovir in the treatment of Post Herpetic Neuralgia

Lyrica® Gets Approval in Europe - New Drug may Combat Post Herpetic Pain

Posted Tue, 07/06/2004 - 10:50 by jack

NEW YORK, July 6, 2004 -- Pfizer Inc said today that it has received approval from the European Commission to market Lyrica® (pregabalin) in all European Union member states for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain and as an adjunctive therapy for partial seizures in patients with epilepsy. Developed by Pfizer, Lyrica is a new compound with analgesic and anticonvulsant properties.

Risk Factors Identified for Persistent Post-Shingles Pain

Posted Mon, 05/10/2004 - 10:22 by jack

HerpesDoctor.com – Researchers have recently confirmed a set of indicators that, alone and in combination, identify shingles patients who have an increased risk of developing persistent pain after the shingles rash heals. Results and implications of their study will be presented in the May 11 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Shingles: What Causes it?

Posted Tue, 04/27/2004 - 12:36 by jack

Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the virus Varicella
Herpes Zoster (VZV) that also causes chickenpox.

VZV is a very contagious virus. It spreads
via the humidity in the air in the incubation period of chickenpox
which lasts from 7 to 23 days and has no symptoms. After chickenpox,
VZV will stay in the body but remain latent.
This means that it is no longer contagious and will not cause
chickenpox again.

Herpes